Central Government anti-spitting ruling awaited.

Enfield Council is awaiting Government permission to ban spitting in the Borough.

The borough wrote to the Department of Communities and Local Government last month (February) asking for permission to introduce a by-law banning spitting and expects to hear in coming weeks.

If the government agrees Enfield will be the first borough in Britain to ban the habit.

The proposed by-law, drafted by Enfield Council's legal team, would ban spitting throughout the borough. People caught spitting would be issued with a fixed penalty notice, anyone who refused to pay could then face prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000.

If the government allows the Council to introduce the byelaw it will come into force within months.

Residents have shown they are overwhelmingly in favour of banning spitting. More than three thousand people have signed a petition backing the campaign which has received support from the Enfield Over 50s Forum, the Enfield Bangladeshi Society and local hospitals.

Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Chris Bond, said: "Spitting is a truly disgusting habit and the vast majority of people are in favour of us banning it.

"It is now up to the government to decide whether or not we can ban spitting in this borough and I'd urge them to listen to the views of people living here and give us the ability to tackle this foul practice once and for all."